Vacuum seal



July 13, 1965 F. L. KoLM 3,194,364

VACUUM SEAL Filed June 27, 1965 A@ IIII-IIIIIIIH 7 INVENTOR FREDERICK L. KOLM BY mom @MM/7@ ATTURNEYS United States Patent O 3,194,364 VACUUM SEAL Frederick L. Kolm, Encino, Calif., assigner to Spectrolah, a corporation of Caiitornia Filed .lune 27, 1963, Ser No. 291,041 6 Claims. (Cl. 1893-64) This invention relates generally to vacuum seals and more particularly, to an improved seal for positioning and sealing disc shaped objects such as lenses in chamber walls in which outside atmospheric pressure is exerted on one side of the chamber and a high vacuum is maintained within the chamber.

Conventional vacuum sealing of objects such as lenses is eected by O-rings. However, certain problems are involved with the use of such O-rings. First, the surrounding frame .structure incorporating lthe O-ring is subject to dimensional change-s as a consequence of temperature variations. These temperature variations cannot always be accommodated by the expansion or contract-ion of the material making up the O-ring, and oftentimes will cause shifting of a lens or other objec-t supported by the O-ring. Alternatively, possible cracking of the lens may occur. Moreover, the manner of installation of the FO-rings is such that a portion of the lens surface about its periphery may be obscured by the mounting structure.

Another problem with O-rings is the precise and accurate machining required for forming the ring grooves. Each particular O-ring supporting structure must be designed for the particular object to be supported. Thus, close tolerances a-re required and once the sealV is effected, there is no practical means ottightening the seal after prolonged use should dimensional changes occur in the supported body.

Finally, O-rings are usually provided in standard sizes which will not always accommodate the dimensions of the object or lens to be supported. In other words, there is very little tolerance for different diameter objects to be supported and as a result, the most ellicient use of the O-rings cannot be realized.

With all of the foregoing considerations in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a greatly improved vacuum type seal in which the foregoing problems are substantially avoided.

More particularly, lit is an object to provide an improved vacuum seal capable of accommodating relatively large temperature variations resulting in expansion and contraction of the dimensions of both the object being supported as well as the supporting frame structure.

Another important object is to provide an improved vacuum seal which will hold an object properly centered or in a consistent position notwithstanding variations in the dimensions of the support-ing frame structure due to tempera-ture changes.

Another object is to provide an improved vacuum seal which can accommodate various different sizes of objects to be supported and which may be adjusted after prolonged use to compensate for dimensional changes and thus maintain a tight seal at all times.

Still another object is to provide an improved vacuum seal which obscures a minimum portion of the lens surface in the event a lens is to be supported so that the most efficient -use is realized from the lens.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an improved vacuum seal which does not require close machining tolerances in the frame structure forming part of the vacuum seal, which is adaptable to different shaped objects to be supported, and which may be manufactured and installed relatively economically as compared to conventional high grade O-ring type seals.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a pair of clamping plates having central cut-out openings for receiving a disc shaped object such as a lens or other object to be supported. These plates in turn cooperate with an annular shaped expandable sealing member of larger outside diameter than the inside diameter of the openings in the plates so that the sealing member may be sandwiched between the plates in coaxial relationship therewith. This sealing member is arranged to surround the periphery of the object to be supported, such as the lens. The plates themselves include an annular backing engaging the outer periphery of the sealing member to prevent or block radial outward expansion of the member. With this arrangement, when a squeezing force is applied between the clamping plates in a direction normal to the plane of the plates and openings, the sealing material will be displaced radially inwardly thereby exerting over 360 degrees a pressing force against the periphery of the object to be supported.

This squeezing force exerted on the plates may be increased after prolonged use to etect further radially inwardly directed expansion ofthe sealing member. However, because of the expandable nature of the member, its stored energy upon initial squeezing of the plates will continuously result in a force against the outer periphery of the object and thus even though temperature changes occur tending to change the dimensions of the object and of the frame structure, the stored energy within the sealing member will cause expansion to accommodate such changes.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to one embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FlGURE l is an exploded perspective view of the various components making up the vacuum seal of this invention; and,

FIGURE 2 is an assembly View partly in cross-section of the various components illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Referring first to FlGURE 1, the vacuum seal includes a rst clamping plate 10 preferably in the form of a ring. As shown, the lov/er surface of the plate 10 includes an annular ridge 11 projecting in a downward direction normal to the plane of the plate. The central portion of the plate includes a small annular cavity 12 and a central cut-out opening 13. Also, the plate 10 includes a plurality of bore openings 14 uniformly distributed outside the ridge 11 and passing normally through the plate 10. These bores are arranged to receive .screws 15.

Below the plate 10, there is illustrated a plastic spacing ring 16 adapted to seat within the smaller annular cavity 12. A disc shaped object such as a lens 17 in turn is arranged to have its periphery 17 surrounded by an expandable annular sealing member 18, ring 16 and lens 17 being received within the connes of the annular ridge 11. As shown, the expandable annular sealing member 18 has flat opposite surfaces 19 and 20. The outer diameter of the sealing member is greater than the inner diameter of the central opening 13 of the plate 1) and its thickness is at least as great as the peripheral thickness of the lens.

Shown below the annular sealing member 13 is a second annular plastic spacing ring 2l 'and below the ring ane-asse f 21 is shown'a second clamping plateZZpThe second J arneter of the sealing member 18.- This recessed area lserves to' deiine an annular back kor Wall 23 Aand includes an annularV ridgeu24 .projecting upwardly normally fromv the door of the recess having a diameter radially insidethe diameter ofthe backing or wall 23. Asmall annu-f lar cavity Z5, similar to thecavity 12', is iormed at the edge of therecess lto accommodate the plastic spacing ring f `13a of the iir'st clamping plate. 1t? and thus is of smaller:

This central opening 26.

diameter than the outside diameter of the sealing member 1S. VThreaded screw holes Z7 are provided adjacent to theperiphery ofthe second plate. :2 2 inV positions corre ponents in mind, the assembly thereof and operation-ofV vthe .vacuumV seal will be evident bynow referring to FIG- VURE 2 As shown, the lens 17` with the annular sealing member lsurrounding the periphery 17T isv adequately"` supported'by the sealV 1S and clampingVplates-lt) and 22,`

'l`hef arrangement is such that the rear annular periphery of the sealing member 13 abuts over 360 degrees against the annular backing or wall23 ofthe second plate member 22 and the inner periphery of this annular ysealing member is in direct engagement with the'periphery 17" of the lens 17.' With thefplates 10 and 22 sandwi'ching the annular sealing member 18 asshown, the ridgesll Ilens'll7 adjacent `the lens periphery 17'.' Y

' which. the various objectssetsforthheretooreare `fully"V realized. While'a'particularvacuumftypeseal hasbeen 1 i' `shown with respect tozsupporting a lens, itfwillbe under-t Y Y. .stoodbythoseskilled irithefart l that various'fother shaped;y

objects may be supported-andfth'atjtheA particular shapes.

` of the clamping rings, sealing member, ridges, Yand 'othery components are not necessarily yrestrictedgto thoseshown 3 merely for` illustrative purposes: What isclaimed is: d

1. A vacuum seal for, supporting. the periphery of an object `in .se'alingfrelationship,v comprising; iny yco'm'bin'a-V tionz'rs-tand second clamping rings; (an annular expand-.

' able Vsealing member having an` inner surface adapted to surround the .periphery1 of, said objectgaridvbppsite sur-1; yfaces adapted to be sandwiched ybetta/een said :clamping v rings, the inner openings-of said rings andannularsealv' ing member being lcoaxial and the'butsideQdianieter: ot,V `said sealing memberbeing greaterfth'anfthe insidediameters of said clamping ringsgand meanscooperating withi Y said clamping -ringsto exert a .squeezingpressure normal k to the plane of said rings on said oppositefSuaces;ofsaid annular sealing Vmembferfto carise,radially-inwardlydirectedf Y movement of, said innensurface infa plane' '.be tween.said Y Y clamping rings; totherebyjexertja nadialpre'ssure.againist' therperiphery oisaid objectQver"360 degrees.

clamping rings' includeannular 'opposedv ridgzesiforV engagf ing said opposite surfacesof said s'ealingrnember;fand"in which said meansfto,exertasqueezing forceicompfrises a plurality of screws circumferentially. distributedladjacent tothe,periphery"of'saidclampirigrings,andpassingnor#i f' `.mallyljthereinnx and '24 are in opposed relationship and will thus press I It will `be evident that ifthe screws 1S. are now threaded i tightly within the threaded openings 27 y'of the second plate member, a squeezing yforce will be applied, but

. since the backing 23 prevents outward expansionrnove-y mentV of the expandable annular seal 18, the .Seal will be Aforced to move radially inwardly and thus press in tight engagement against the periphery 17 ofthe lens 17.` The Vridges themselves displace the expandablesealing member so that stored energy is elected Vtherein and there will always be maintained a Auniform radially inwardly di'` rected pressure against the periphery of the lens.

Thus, contraction or expansion of the lens and/ or clamp plates 1t) and 22 may take place without disturbingV the central positioning of the lens 17, Again, this isbecause .such expansion and contraction would Vbe accorn-`V modatedby the expansion of the .seal member y1? 'ina radially inward -or radially outward direction,

It is possible, of course, to further tighten ,the screws 15 and thus increase the stored energy after the device has been in use'f-or some time'shouldthe lens 17 shrink an undue amount.

lFurther, it will` be evident'thatwiththe 'foregoingV ystructure, the dimensions yof the lens 17 'or other disc shapedobject to bev supported are not critical in'thau .adjustment of the annular sealing member may be eiected by varying the squeezing force between-the annui-arclamping rings for plates 10 andZZ'. Since the inwardly radially ydirected force fof the sealing member against the lens 17 is uniform over 360 degrees, shifting of the lens will` are not necessary because of the accommodation lrealiz,-

able through use of the'unique annular sealing rnemfy ber 1S.V

From the foregoing description, it will thusbe evident Vthat thepresent invention ,has provided a structurein l l 3. A` vaculumseall'accordingto claim.2,incli iding fan-f1 nularplastic `rings spacing the .peripheral vedges of said object on either sideV of saidsealing member withfrespect'f to theinnerperiphery of` thelopeningsfinsaidclamping rings.

" A." A vacuum thereof; yand means for exerting a squeezing forceon said objectl over-360 degrees. Y

plates to press against the periphery ,ofY said` discshaped 5. A, VaCuums'eal accordingto claimt, iniwhichsaidv second plate includes an annular recessed ar'eafof VVdiameter. corresponding substantially tothe; outer. dia'rneter.of] Y I `said'se-aling membertodenewith Vitscen-tral opening an j 'Y annular shoulde' r.for seating Ysaidsealing member, said annular backing being denedby the annularwallofIsaid shoulder, saidV shoulder including ian annllar ridgepro-e, c

jectingnormally to the planerofsaid cent-ralopening and positioned radi-ally inwardly of said annular backing andV radially outwardly of said central opening,fand"said iirstfv Y plate including anannular ridge projecting ,normally andpositioned radiallyoutwardlyfof the 'central openingfoh I said ii'rs-t plate Sand in ,opposedrelationship-to, saidrst' Kmentioned .:annular"ridge,. said rridges vbeingurged intof opposite surfacesot said sealing nember'to veiectinward radialexpansion thereof, zwhen;said squeezingfforceisj applied to said tirst and second plates.

sealV for supportingthe lperiphery 'o f a disc shaped object having. a given thickness atitsperiph1VVV ery,v comprising,.incombinatiom first and secloridpclam'ping plates-shaving central cut-out'V openings;v ani annular` expandablesealingmember having' afinnersurface of 'Y thickness atf least equaltosaidgivenrthiclinessV adapted#` 1 to .surround the periphery of said disc; shaped .objectathe outside diameter .of said Asealing member being :greater than theinside'diameter, of said central openingssothat theV outer` opposites.surfaceportions Yoffsaid annular seal-k ing member may ybe sandwiched ybetwe ensai;l irstvand second platesgone, of said plates; includingy Ean :annular backing engaging'over 360'degreesthe'outer peripheryfoffi; saidsealing member to preventradialioutward'expansion 5 6 6. A vacuum seal according to claim 5, in which said References Cited by the Examiner means for exerting said squeezing force include a plurality UNITED STATES PATENTS of independently 'adjustable screws passing normally A through said first plate in uniformly circumferentially Slleer spaced positions outside Ithe annular ridge on said first 5 plate, said screws being threadedly received in correspond- 3000345 9/61 Gray et al' ingly located threaded openings in said second plate. HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A VACUUM SEAL FOR SUPPORTING THE PERIPHERY OF AN OBJECT IN SEALING RELATIONSHIP, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: FIRST AND SECOND CLAMPING RINGS; AN ANNULAR EXPANDABLE SEALING MEMBER HAVING AN INNER SURFACE ADAPTED TO SURROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID OBJECT AND OPPOSITE SURFACES ADAPTEDTO BE SANDWICHES BETWEEN SAID CLAMPING RINGS, THE INNER OPENINGS OF SAID RINGS AND ANNULAR SEALING MEMBER BEING COAXIAL AND THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID SEALING MEMBER BEING GREATER THAN THE INSIDE DIAMETERS OF SAID CLAMPING RINGS; AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID CLAMPING RINGS TO EXERT A SQUEEZING PRESSURE NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF SAID RINGS ON SAID OPPOSITE SURFACES OF SAID ANNULAR SEALING MEMBER TO CAUSE RADIALLY SURFACES OF SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID INNER SURFACE IN A PLANE BETWEEN SAID CLAMPING RINGS TO THEREBY EXERT A RADIAL PRESSURE AGAINST THE PERIPHERY OF SAID OBJECT OVER 360 DEGREES. 